Theatre with marginalised communities: Amelia Yiakmis speaks with Adrian Jackson

Adrian Jackson, MBE, is a theatre director, playwright and founder of Cardboard Citizens, an organisation that produces work particularly by, with and for those who have experienced homelessness. He recently visited Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Amelia Yiakmis seized the opportunity to invite him to create this podcast for JoCAT listeners.

Jackson founded Cardboard Citizens in 1991, based on the principles of Augusto Boal and his Theatre of the Oppressed model. The company tours theatre productions, especially interactive Forum Theatre, to venues including hostels, day centres, schools and theatres. As described by Cardboard Citizen Ambassador, Kate Winslet:

Bringing creativity or ‘beauty’ into unexpected environments is really what Cardboard Citizens does every day. Many of us perceive the theatre as a grand space with velvet curtains, comfy chairs and projectors lighting up the stars. Cardboard Citizens’ stages are often homeless hostels, soup kitchens and prison libraries, sometimes the street. I’ve seen first-hand the incredible effect that this has on people, often those who think this kind of culture can’t reach them, and how it really brings out the best in them. I think the secret lies in the fact that the company train people with experience of homelessness to encourage others to come on board, it’s that peer-to-peer ethos that really hooks people in, that and the company’s emphasis on setting high standards for people, encouraging them to be brave and to succeed [1].

Through Cardboard Citizens, Jackson has collaborated with a number of other organisations, including the Royal Shakespeare Company (Pericles), English National Opera (The Beggar's Opera), London Bubble (The Lower Depths), and Formaat Theatre in Rotterdam (Home and Away).

After completing a post graduate diploma in expressive therapies in Sydney (2008), Amelia moved to Aotearoa and discovered the Hobson Street Theatre Company, which partners with the Auckland City Mission – she has yet to leave either! This year sees Amelia studying her master’s degree in creative arts therapy at Whitecliffe College and she continues her mahi alongside young people, women, refugee communities and the homeless community.

Amelia talks with Adrian about their joint passion for theatre with marginalised communities.

Glossary

Ako – a concept to mean both to teach and to learn. It recognises the knowledge that both teachers and learners bring to learning interactions, and it acknowledges the way that new knowledge and understandings can grow out of shared learning experiences.

Mahi – work

Endnote

[1] Duncan, K., & Jackson, A. (2017). Cardboard citizens 25 years. London.